Device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion

ABSTRACT

A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion has input means rotatable about an input axis and output means angularly movable about an output axis transverse, or perpendicular, to the input axis, and being connected with an oscillatory weft inserting needle of a ribbon loom. The input means include eccentric input joints, and the output means include eccentric output joints, which are connected with each other, preferably by a link, so that rotation of the input means causes oscillatory angular motion of the output means and of the weft inserting needle at a cyclically varying speed.

Biischi 1451 Jan; 14,1975

1 1 DEVICE FOR TRANSFORMING ROTARY MOTION INTO OSCILLATORY MOTION [75] Inventor: Marcus B.Biischi,Frick,

Switzerland [73] Assignees Jakob Mueller, Frick (Aargau), Switzerland 22 Filed: Mar.1,l973

21 Appl. 110.: 337,216

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 2, 1972 Switzerland 3038/72 52 US. c1.'. 74/42 [51] Int. Cl Fl6h 21/18 [58] Field of Search 74/42, 22, 23, 21, 88; 64/17, 18

[ 56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,641,344 9/1927 McLean 74/42 1,694,834 12/1928 Sinclair 74/22 1,790,654 2/1931 74/42 9 2,711,653 6/1955 Zero 74/22 3,161,067 12/1964 Moller 74/42 3,353,296 11/1967 Ryan et a1 74/42 Primary Examiner-Wesley S. Ratliff, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion has input means rotatable about an input axis and output means angularly movable about an output axis transverse, or perpendicular, to the input axis, and being connected with an oscillatory weft inserting needle of a ribbon-loom. The input means include eccentric input joints, and the output means include eccentric output joints, which are connected with each other, preferably by a link, so that rotation of the input means causes oscillatory angular motion of the output means and of the weft inserting needle at a cyclically varying speed.

PATENTED JAN 1 4 ms sum 2 or s for example, by a link.

DEVICE FOR TRANSFORMING ROTARY MOTION INTO OSCILLATORY MOTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When a narrow fabric is woven on a shuttleless loom, particularly a needle loom, the problem arises how a rotary motioncan betransformed into an oscillatory motion without jerks and rapid deceleration. The oscillatory-motion is particularly required for the weft inserting needle, but may also be used for selvedge tying needles, gripper fingers, and the like.

The most conventional way of tranforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion includes a crank drive with a pitman and a piston rod. A drive of this type has the disadvantage that the transition of the oscillatory part from one direction of movement to the opposite direction of movement takes place with a jerk or jolt,

and corresponding high stress on the parts of the machine. Another disadvantage isthat only the amplitude of oscillation can be adjusted, while it is not possible to produce an asymmetric oscillatory motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to provide an apparatus for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory mo-' tion operating quietly and without sudden stresses on the parts. v j i Another object of the invention is to provide a first lesser and then greater deceleration of each stroke of the oscillatory art toward a dead center, and also a corvides a rotary input shaft with an eccentric joint connected directly or indirectly with an eccentric joint on the output shaft; Preferably, a link connects the eccentric input joint with the eccentric output joint, and the link may be replaced by a wobble plate.

A device according to the present invention comprises input means mounted for rotation about an input axis, and including input joint means eccentric to the input axis; and output means mounted for angular movement about an output axis transverse to the input axis, and including output joint means eccentric to the output axis and connected with the input joint means,

In a device constructed as set forth above, rotation of the input means causes oscillatory angular motion of the output means at a cyclically varying speed.

The output axis may be perpendicular to the input axis, or define an acute angle therewith. The input axis and outputaxis may be located in a common plane, or cross each other at a distance.

the novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

which may cause vibrations of high speed machines,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF Til-IE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, partly schematic, perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention with a T-shaped link between the input and output joints;

FIG. 2 is a plan viewillustrating a modification in which the input joints are connected by a doublearmed link with the output joint means;

FIG 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment in which the input shaft carries'a wobble plate so that input and output joitnt halves can be directly connected;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic plan view illustrating a modification in which the output axis perpendicu-' larly crosses the input axis spaced therefrom, which results in an asymmetrical oscillation of the output shaft;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating another embodiment in which the input means is reciprocated in axial direction in addition to its rotary motion, which results in a variationof the angular speed of the output means; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in which the output axis is not perpendicular to the input axis, but intersects the inputaxis at an acute angle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS i In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the input means include an inputshaft 1, and a'flange 2 secured to the input shaft and carrying an eccentric input joint 3 radially spaced from the'axis of input shaft 1. The output means includes an annular frame 6, and output shaft portions 7, 7' fixedly secured to the frame 6. Outputs joints 5 and 5 are provided in diametrical positions on the annular frame 6, and are engaged by the two aligned arms 4a of a T-shaped link means whose longer arm 4 is connected with the input joint '3. Bearings 7a support the output shaft portions 7, 7' and therewith frame 6 for rotation about an output axis perpendicular to the input axis of input shaft 1, and being located in'a common vertical plane. The short arms 4aare turnable in bores 5, 5 in the annular frame 6. 7

During rotation of the inputshaft 1, link means 4, 4a is driven by the eccentric input joint 3 so that the annular frame 6 together with the output shaft 7, 7 is angularly oscillated over an angle a. The output shaft portion 7 is preferably directly connected with the holding member of a weft inserting needle which is then oscillated at the same angular acceleration and deceleration as output shaft portion 7.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the input shaft includes two input shaft portions 11 and 11' carrying flanges 12 and 12' with joints 13 and 13'. Bearings 11a support the input shaft portions 11, 11 for rotation aboutan axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the two output shaft portions 17 and 17. which are mounted in bearings 17a, and are fixedly connected by a frame 16. A link in the form of a double-armed lever l4 is connected at the ends with the joints 13 and 13', and at its center connected with .a shaft 15 which is rotatably mounted in joint means of the annular frame 16, similar to the arrangement of FIG. 1. i

The rotary motion of the input :shaft 11, 11' is transformed into an oscillating angular motion of the output shaft 17, 17', but the link 14 moves in a wobble motion.

A wobble motion is also used in the embodiment of FIG. 3 in which the input shaft 21 carries a fixed wobble plate 22 in a position slanted to the input axis of input shaft 21. The output means include the output shaft portions 27 and 27' connected by an annular frame 26 which surrounds a ring 23 rotatably mounting the wobble plate 22. Diametrically disposed joint means 25 connect the annular frame 26 with the ring 23, each joint means 25 including a joint half in the form of a pin secured to ring 23, and a joint half in the form of an opening in the annular frame 26. The rotary motion of the driven inputshaft 21 is transformed into an oscillatory angular motion of the output shaft 27 for an angle a.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. l-and FIG. 2, and has an input shaft 31 carrying a transversely projecting member or flange 32 connected by an eccentric joint means 33 with a T-shaped link means 34, 34a located in joints in the annular frame 36 of the output shaft 37.

The arrangement is different from FIG. 1 inasmuch as the axis of input shaft 31 is spaced the distance a from the axis of the output shaft 37 due to the fact, that the imaginary straight line 38 which connects the inner end of the input shaft 31 with the oscillatory output shaft 37, is displaced an angle y, which has the result that the angle a which represents the amplitude of oscillation of the output shaft 37 is not symmetrical to the line 38, which means that the oscillatory motion in one direction takes place at a speed different from the stroke in the opposite direction. As shown in chain lines, an input shaft portion 31 with transverse flange 32, and a link means 34' may be provided and connected with link 34 as described with reference to FIG. 2. r The embodiment illustrated in FIG. corresponds substantially to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and includes an input shaft 41 carrying a transverse member 42 with a joint 43 connected with a T-shaped link 44 who shorter arms are located in openings 45 and 45' in the annular frame 46 which rigidly connects the output shaft portions 47, 47'.

A drive gear 51, meshing with a motor driven gear, not shown, is mounted on input shaft 41 by means of splines in such a manner as to be connected with input shaft 41 for rotation, but permits axial movement of input shaft 41.

The end of input shaft 41 carries a pin 50 located in a slot of an angular cam follower lever 49 which is urged by a spring 52 into engagement with a cam track on a cam 48 which is continuously rotated. During rotation of cam 48, input shaft 41 performs not only a rotary motion, but also an axial reciprocating motion, which influences the oscillatory angular motion of output shaft 47 since the distance of the transverse flange 42 and frame 46 with input shaft 47 cyclically varies. The angle between link 44 and flange 42 on the one hand, and with the output shaft 47 is continuously varied, which influences the acceleration and deceleration of the output shaft 47. i

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4, but instead of spacing the axis of the input shaft 31 parallel to the axis of the output shaft 37, so that the input and output axes cross each other at a distance, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the axis 68 of the input shaft 61 is angularly displaced relative to the axis of the output shaft 67 an angle B. Consequently,

while in both embodiments, the output axis is transverse to the input axis, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the input axis and output axis are perpendicular to each other, but define in the embodiment of FIG. 6, an acute angle. The result of the angular displacement of input shaft 61 relative to output shaft 67, as compared with FIGS. 1 and 2, has a similar effect as the parallel displacement of input shaft 31 in the embodiment of FIG. 4, and causes an asymmetrical oscillatory motion of the output shaft 67, and of a weft inserting needle connected therewith As has been explained above, the oscillatory output shaft can be connected with the weft inserting needle, or other oscillatory parts of a ribbon loom so that the desired oscillatory acceleration and deceleration is obtained. The several embodiments of the invention make it possible to adapt the angular movement of the oscillatory parts of the machine to the prevailing requirements, so that the oscillatory motions obtained by the several embodiments of the invention do not only have different amplitudes, but also operate at different speeds and with different accelerations and decelerations,

The embodiment of FIG. 6 may have a second input shaft portion, and flange 62', as described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, and the embodiment of FIG. 5 may also be provided with an additional input shaft portion and flange connected by a double armed link.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of apparatus for transforming rotary motion to oscillatory motion differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion including input and output shafts whose axis are transverse to each other, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis, and including an input shaft, wobble-means fixedly secured to said input shaft in a slanted position and input joint means eccentric to said input shaft and comprising two input joint halves diametrically disposed on said wobble means; and output means mounted for angular movement about a single output axis transverse to said input axis, and including an output shaft, frame means fixedly secured to said output shaft and surrounding said slanted wobble means, and output joint means eccentric to said output shaft and comprising two joint halves diametrically disposed on said frame means and respectively connected with a correlated input joint shaft so that rotation of said input means causes oscillatory angular motion of said-output means about said single output axis at a cyclically varying speed.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1 comprising support means for mounting said input means and output means in positions in which said output axis is perpendicular to said input axis.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said input axis and output axis are located in a common plane.

4. A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis, and including input joint means constituted by a single eccentric input joint; output means mounted for angular movement about a single output axis transverse to said input axis, and including output joint means eccentric to said output axis and comprising two diametrically disposed output joints; and T-shaped link means having one arm connected at one end with said single input point, and two aligned arms at the other end respectively connected with said output joints so that rotation of said input means causes oscillatory angular movement of said output means about said single output axis at a cyclically varying speed. 7

5. Device as claimed in claim 4 comprising support means for mounting said input means and output means in a position in which said output axis crosses said input axis spaced from'said input axis so that the oscillatory motion of said output means is asymmetrical.

6. A device for transferring rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis, and including input joint means eccentric to said input axis; operating means for axially reciprocating said input'means during rotation thereof; and output means mounted for angular movement about an output axis transverse to said input axis, and including output joint means eccentric to said output axis and connected with said input joint means so that rotation of said input causes oscillatory angular motion of said output means at a cyclically varying speed.

7. Device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said operating means reciprocate said input means in axial direction in strokes synchronized with the revolutions of said input means.

8. A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis and including two aligned input shafts having confronting axially spaced transverse members, and input joint means eccentric to said input axis and comprising one eccentric input joint on each of said transverse members, said input joints being diametrically disposed; output means located between said axially spaced transverse members and mounted for angular movement about a single output axis transverse to said input axis, and including output joint means eccentric to said output axis, an output shaft and an output frame thereon, said output frame having said output joint means; and link means connecting said output joint means with said input joints so that rotation of said input means causes oscillatory angular movement of said output means about said single output axis at a cyclically varying speed. 

1. A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis, and including an input shaft, wobble means fixedly secured to said input shaft in a slanted position and input joint means eccentric to said input shaft and comprising two input joint halves diametrically disposed on said wobble means; and output means mounted for angular movement about a single output axis transverse to said input axis, and including an output shaft, frame means fixedly secured to said output shaft and surrounding said slanted wobble means, and output joint means eccentric to said output shaft and comprising two joint halves diametrically disposed on said frame means and respectively connected with a correlated input joint shaft so that rotation of said input means causes oscillatory angular motion of said output means about said single output axis at a cyclically varying speed.
 2. Device as claimed in claim 1 comprising support means for mounting said input means and output means in positions in which said output axis is perpendicular to said input axis.
 3. Device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said input axis and output axis are located in a common plane.
 4. A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis, and including input joint means constituted by a single eccentric input joint; output means mounted for angular movement about a single output axis transverse to said input axis, and including output joint means eccentric to said output axis and comprising two diametrically disposed output joints; and T-shaped link means having one arm connected at one end with said single input point, and two aligned arms at the other end respectively connected with said output joints so that rotation of said input means causes oscillatory angular movement of said output means about said single output axis at a cyclically varying speed.
 5. Device as claimed in claim 4 comprising support means fOr mounting said input means and output means in a position in which said output axis crosses said input axis spaced from said input axis so that the oscillatory motion of said output means is asymmetrical.
 6. A device for transferring rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis, and including input joint means eccentric to said input axis; operating means for axially reciprocating said input means during rotation thereof; and output means mounted for angular movement about an output axis transverse to said input axis, and including output joint means eccentric to said output axis and connected with said input joint means so that rotation of said input causes oscillatory angular motion of said output means at a cyclically varying speed.
 7. Device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said operating means reciprocate said input means in axial direction in strokes synchronized with the revolutions of said input means.
 8. A device for transforming rotary motion into oscillatory motion, comprising input means mounted for rotation about an input axis and including two aligned input shafts having confronting axially spaced transverse members, and input joint means eccentric to said input axis and comprising one eccentric input joint on each of said transverse members, said input joints being diametrically disposed; output means located between said axially spaced transverse members and mounted for angular movement about a single output axis transverse to said input axis, and including output joint means eccentric to said output axis, an output shaft and an output frame thereon, said output frame having said output joint means; and link means connecting said output joint means with said input joints so that rotation of said input means causes oscillatory angular movement of said output means about said single output axis at a cyclically varying speed. 